U.S. patent number 7,717,387 [Application Number 11/301,537] was granted by the patent office on 2010-05-18 for rail heater clip.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Thomas & Betts International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Sajid Naheem.
United States Patent |
7,717,387 |
Naheem |
May 18, 2010 |
Rail heater clip
Abstract
A rail clip for securing a strip heater to a rail that resists
removal when subjected to intense vibration, such as when rail cars
are passing overhead. The rail clip is configured with a U-shaped
rail flange receiving area wherein the opposite sides of this
receiving area are configured with at least one tooth each for
securing the rail therebetween. For greater securement, multiple
teeth on each side of this U-shaped receiving area would be
employed and with at least one tooth on each side thereof being in
alignment with the other. Furthermore, the teeth on at least one
side of this receiving area would include multiple teeth, both
pointed and elongated.
Inventors: |
Naheem; Sajid (West Bridgford,
GB) |
Assignee: |
Thomas & Betts International,
Inc. (Wilmington, DE)
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Family
ID: |
36000975 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/301,537 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20060150563 A1 |
Jul 13, 2006 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60639396 |
Dec 27, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/316.7;
248/231.81; 248/74.2; 238/351; 238/14.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G
3/32 (20130101); B60M 5/00 (20130101); E01B
19/00 (20130101); E01B 7/24 (20130101); E01B
26/005 (20130101); F16B 15/0038 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47G
1/00 (20060101); B60M 5/00 (20060101); E01B
13/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;248/316.7,74.2,72,73,74.1,68.1,65,229.26,231.8 ;52/698,204.69
;238/14.14,351,378,349 ;174/138G,72A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Steel City, Beams and Purlin, Thomas & Betts, Catalog p. F5,
.COPYRGT. 2003 Thomas & Betts Corporation. cited by other .
Steel City, Conduit and Cable Supports, Thomas & Betts, Catalog
p. F15, .COPYRGT. Thomas & Betts Corporation. cited by
other.
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Primary Examiner: Sterling; Amy J
Assistant Examiner: Le; Tan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hoffman & Baron, LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/639,396, filed Dec. 27, 2004.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A rail clip for securing a strip heater to a rail comprising: a
clip having a rail flange receiving area for securing the clip to
the rail, a strip heater receiving area for securing a strip heater
against the rail, an elongated lower side extending between said
rail flange receiving area and said strip heater receiving area;
said strip heater receiving area extending from said lower side to
an unattached end of said strip heater receiving area; and said
flange receiving area is defined by an unattached end of said
flange receiving area, an upper side extending from said unattached
end of said receiving area to a joining member, and said joining
member extending between said upper side and said lower side, said
upper side is shorter in length than said lower side, said lower
side extending from said joining member to said strip heater
receiving area, said flange receiving area being generally U-shaped
in configuration with said lower side and said unattached end of
said flange receiving area angling inwardly toward each other to
reduce the flange receiving area said flange receiving area
includes opposing teeth, said opposing teeth comprising a plurality
of teeth on said lower side and at least one tooth on said upper
side.
2. The rail clip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said opposing
teeth comprising a combination of both pointed and elongated teeth
projections.
3. The rail clip as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lower side
contains at least one pointed tooth and at least one elongated
tooth and wherein said upper side contains at least one pointed
tooth.
4. The rail clip as set forth in claim 3 wherein said lower side
and said upper side each contain a plurality of teeth therein and
with at least one said tooth on said lower side and said upper side
surface being configured to engage the rail upon clip
withdrawal.
5. The rail clip as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one tooth
on said lower side is aligned with another said tooth on said upper
side.
6. The rail clip as set forth in claim 3 wherein said pointed teeth
on said lower side and said upper side are aligned with each
other.
7. The rail clip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lower side is
non-parallel with said upper side.
8. The rail clip as set forth in claim 7 wherein said non-parallel
lower side is inclined inwardly at an angle of between about 10
degrees to about 12 degrees with respect to said upper side.
9. The rail clip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heater
receiving area is attached via material continuity to said one side
surface.
10. The rail clip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heater
receiving area having two opposing sides and a base.
11. The rail clip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said strip heater
receiving area is adapted to be secured against a bottom surface of
a lower flange of a rail.
12. The rail clip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clip is
formed from a planar material, said planar material is bent to form
said a rail flange receiving area and a strip heater receiving
area.
13. The rail clip as set forth in claim 12 wherein said planar
material extends between said unattached end of said flange
receiving area and said unattached end of said heater receiving
area.
14. A rail clip for securing a strip heater to a rail comprising:
(a) a clip having a rail flange receiving area and a strip heater
receiving area for securing a strip heater against the bottom of
the rail, said rail flange receiving area and said strip heater
receiving area are positioned at opposite ends of said clip; (b)
both said flange receiving area and said strip heater receiving
area being configured to closely follow the contour of the rail;
(c) said flange receiving area being generally U-shaped in
configuration and having opposing teeth; (d) said opposing teeth
comprising a combination of pointed and elongated teeth
projections; (e) said pointed and elongated teeth projections
comprising a plurality of teeth on one side surface of said
U-shaped configuration and at least one tooth on an opposite side
surface of said U-shaped configuration; and (f) said one side
surface having two outer edges and an inner surface there between,
wherein said elongated teeth being located on the inner
surface.
15. The rail clip as set forth in claim 14 wherein said one side
surface contains at least one pointed tooth and at least one
elongated tooth and wherein said opposite side surface contains at
least one pointed tooth located opposite of and in alignment with
one of said teeth in said one side surface.
16. The rail clip as set forth in claim 15 wherein said one side
surface is non-parallel with said opposite side surface.
17. The rail clip as set forth in claim 14 wherein said
non-parallel one side surface is inclined at an angle of between
about 10 degrees to about 12 degrees with respect to said other
side surface.
18. A rail clip for securing a strip heater to a rail comprising: a
clip including a rail flange receiving area and a strip heater
receiving area for securing a strip heater against a bottom surface
of the rail, said rail flange receiving area and said strip heater
receiving area are at opposite ends of said clip; said flange
receiving area being generally U-shaped in configuration: said
U-shaped configuration includes one side surface, an opposite side
surface, and a connecting surface extending from said one side
surface to said opposite side surface, said one side surface having
a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said
connecting surface and said second end attached to said strip
heater receiving area, one side surface longer than said opposite
side surface; said one side surface is non-parallel with said
opposite side surface; said strip heater receiving area extending
from said one side surface, said strip heater receiving area having
two opposing sides and a base; one of said opposing sides is
attached via material continuity to said one side surface; said one
side surface is inclined inwardly at an angle of between 10 degrees
to about 12 degrees with respect to said other side surface,
reducing the flange receiving area, said flange receiving area
including said opposing teeth comprising a combination of pointed
and elongated teeth projections; said pointed and elongated teeth
projections comprising a plurality of teeth on said one side
surface and at least one tooth on said opposite side surface; said
opposite side surface having two outer edges and an inner surface
there between, wherein said elongated teeth being located on the
inner surface; and at least one pointed tooth on said one side
surface is aligned with another said tooth on said opposite side
surface.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to a bracket for securing rail heater
clips, heating cable and associated equipment to a fixed or moving
rail line. These rail heater clips are specifically designed to
resist removal when subjected to intense vibration or other
irregular loading, such as when rail cars are passing overhead.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rail heater clips are used to secure a strip heater, a heat sensor
or other items to a rail line (such as a commuter or freight rail).
In colder climates, portions of rail lines need to be heated to
prevent them from freezing. This is especially important at rail
switch points or wherever the rail is to be shifted or moved. Strip
heaters and other items are used at these locations to prevent snow
or ice from blocking or otherwise restricting any such rail
movement.
Rail heater clips have existed for quite some time and they come in
many different variations depending on the size and/or shape of the
rail as well as the item they are to secure to the rail. Rail
heater clips also vary depending on the part of the rail the heat
is to be applied to.
Perhaps the biggest challenge facing these clips is the need to
remain attached to the rail during times of intense vibration, such
as when rail cars are moving directly overhead. This requirement
along with avoiding mechanical breakage and deterioration are
paramount in designing and manufacturing rail heater clips.
At the same time, ease of installation is an important
consideration. If the installation is complicated or requires
special equipment, there is a greater chance that the installation
will be faulty. Hence, welding or gluing clips in place are less
viable alternatives since both require pre-preparation to adhere
properly. Furthermore, the employment of magnetic properties to
secure the clip to the rail will not suffice since such magnetic
properties will be adversely affected by the electro magnetic
fields generated by the passing cars. The current method was seen
to be the most viable for production at this point in time.
However, it may transpire that at some later stage with advances in
cleaning technology or capabilities to overcome electro-magnetic
effects that these other methods of installation will become more
viable for manufacture.
Thus it is an object of this invention to develop a rail heater
clip that is not only easy to install, but which will also resist
vibration loading. Another object of this invention is to develop a
rail heater clip that can accommodate a variety of different rail
strip heaters and associated equipment as well as secure such items
in place upon the rail. Yet another object of this invention is to
provide a rail heater clip whose gripping capability is not
diminished or affected whether the heating equipment is to be
secured to the side or to the bottom of the rail. Still another
object of this invention is to provide a rail heater clip that can
be altered to accommodate any variety of differently sized and/or
shaped rails. Another feature is to provide a rail heater clip that
provides a more balanced grip upon the rail and one that is
specially configured to resist removal. These and other objects and
advantages of this invention will be come apparent upon further
investigation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to a rail clip for securing a strip heater
or other associated equipment to a rail. It consists of a clip
having a rail flange receiving area for securing the clip to the
rail and a strip heater receiving area for securing a strip heater
against the rail. The flange receiving area is generally U-shaped
in configuration and has opposing teeth. The opposing teeth consist
of a plurality of teeth on one side surface of the U-shaped
configuration and at least one tooth on an opposite side surface of
the U-shaped configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a first embodiment of the invention
shown with a heat sensor installed on the underneath side of the
rail.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 in
its pre-installed state.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the first embodiment of the invention
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the second embodiment of the invention
shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a eighth embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 11 shown
secured to a rail.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, there is shown rail clips of various
configurations to accommodate various rail 10 configurations. Rail
10 comes in many different sizes and shapes and hence the need for
many different configurations for rail clips. FIGS. 1-3 show the
first embodiment of the present invention. Rail clip 12 is shown
securing strip heater 14 against a bottom surface 15 of lower
flange 16 of rail 10. Other figures show different versions of rail
clips of the present invention which secure either a strip heater,
a temperature sensor 14 or other cabling accessory against a side
surface or web 18 of rail 10. Other rail clips of the present
invention are designed to secure product against an upper surface
20 of flange 16 of rail 10. A strip heater 14 is oftentimes held
against the bottom of rail 10 and operates to detect the
temperature of rail 10 to thereby provide feedback to the control
system so that when strip heater 14 gets to a pre-determined
temperature, heat is delivered to rail 10 via strip heater 14
secured in place via clip 12. For purposes of clarification, the
term `strip heater` will encompass the strip heater and any
associated sensor, a temperature sensor or cabling component.
Rail clip 12 is generally constructed of thin planar material,
preferably metal, that is bent into a particular configuration
depending on the shape of rail 10 to which clip 12 will attach. The
thickness of this planar material may be varied depending on the
force or bias to be applied by clip 12 upon rail 10; the thicker
the material (i.e. the harder to spread open clip 12) the more bias
is applied by clip 12 upon rail 10. Rail clip 12 is bent so as to
have both a flange receiving area 22 and a strip heater receiving
area 24. Generally, both of these areas 22 and 24 are `U` shaped
(but not always) so that both flange 16 and strip heater 14 can be
properly secured therein. Strip heater receiving area 24 is
preferably configured so that maximum heat transfer between strip
heater 14 and rail 10 can be accomplished.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show the flange receiving area 22 defined by opposing
sides or legs 30 and 32. Legs 30 and 32 have upper teeth 26 and
lower teeth 28, respectively. Ideally teeth 26 and 28 come in pairs
on their respective sides 30 and 32 and preferably each of these
teeth 26 and 28 are found in or near the outer edge region of their
respective sides 30 and 32. Teeth 26 and 28 are also shown in these
embodiments as coming to a point so as to better engage rail 10.
They are also shown as being angled or configured with respect to
their respective sides 30 and 32 such that teeth 26 and 28 resist
the removal of clip 12 from rail 10. This is accomplished by having
teeth 26 and 28 inclined both into flange receiving area 22 and
also towards member 34 that joins sides 30 and 32. One common
method of constructing teeth 26 and 28 is to make them of the same
material as rail clip 12, such as by punching.
It should also be noted that preferably at least one or more upper
teeth 26 are located opposite or generally immediately above a
corresponding one or more lower teeth 28. In this fashion, at least
for the bias applied by these teeth to flange 16, the bias applied
is somewhat symmetrical or balanced so that the `pinching` forces
applied by these teeth 26, 28 are preferably aligned with each
other and are not greatly offset from each other. Teeth 26 and 28
are preferably positioned so as to provide a balanced grip upon
flange 16 employing much the same mechanics as occurs when a human
hand grips an object. Such alignment (or force cancellation)
reduces or eliminates any imbalance between these opposing forces
which thus curtails or prevents such imbalance from playing any
part in any attempted dislodgment of clip 12 from rail 10.
Located between lower teeth 28 on side 32 are additional elongated
teeth 36. These elongated teeth 36 are also configured and angled
much like teeth 28 in order to resist the removal of clip 12 from
rail 10 once clip 12 is installed around flange 16. In the
embodiments shown, the longitudinal nature of elongated teeth 36
provide additional and increased contact surface with rail 10. This
too aids in resisting the removal of clip 12 from flange 16 during
periods of intense vibration. Ideally there would be three such
elongated teeth 36 configured in side 32 with these three teeth 36
being somewhat evenly spaced from each other so as to better
distribute their gripping capability along the full length of side
32.
Strip heater receiving area 24 is, as previously indicated,
generally U-shaped, but a review of the preferred embodiments shows
that this is not always the case. The actual configuration of strip
heater receiving area 24 will vary greatly depending on both the
shape of the strip heater 14 and the portion of the rail 10 that is
to be in contact with strip heater 14. In some instances, strip
heater receiving area 24 is to support or secure a cable, wire,
pipe or conduit that is spaced slightly from rail 10 so that there
is no direct contact between such strip heater 14 and rail 10 (such
contact instead extending through clip 12). FIG. 3 shows strip
heater receiving area including a protrusion 25 on the base of the
U-shape to raise the strip heater 14 so there is less contact
between the clip 12 and the surface of the sensor 14.
When possible, it is desirable for strip heater receiving area 24
to be positioned opposite one or more sets of lower teeth 28 (or
even elongated teeth 36). Thus, the bias applied by such strip
heater 14 will be balanced with the bias applied by these teeth in
side 32 in order to achieve the same advantages as discussed above
with respect to the alignment and gripping characteristics of upper
and lower teeth 26 and 28.
Furthermore, when possible, strip heater receiving area 24, as well
as flange receiving area 22, is to be configured so as to closely
conform to the shape of rail 10 to which clip 12 is applied. This
is desirable not only so that the forces applied by clip 12 upon
rail 10 are as balanced as possible, but so that during periods of
intense vibration, each of teeth 26, 28 and 36 may come to bear
upon rail 10 as described below in order to resist any movement of
clip 12 away from rail 10 to the fullest extent possible. The teeth
provide a set of pressure points which resist sliding. The force of
the pressure points is generated by the spring in the material and
shape of the rail clips 12.
In many rail 10 configurations, bottom surface 15 of rail 10 is
flat. Thus, corresponding side 32 of rail clip 12 needs to be
generally flat and parallel after installation so that all its
teeth 28 and 36 will fully engage this bottom surface 15 as
intended. However, manufacturing tolerances of both rail 10 and
clip 12 will vary slightly such that in reality, some of teeth 28
and/or 36 may be levered away from any such contact (i.e. one or
more teeth 28/36 acting as a fulcrum). Additionally, in many other
rail 10 configurations, bottom surface 15 is bowed or concave
inwardly. This further compounds the difficulty of generating
proper contact of side 32 with bottom surface 15.
Thus, the embodiments of this invention is the purposeful
configuration of side 32 so that it is not perpendicular to joining
member 34 as would normally be expected. Instead, side 32 is
actually bent so as to be angled or inclined towards or into flange
receiving area 22. Side 32 is inclined at an angle A between about
4 degrees to about 13 degrees, more preferably between about 10
degrees and 12 degrees. Thus, not only does this overcome any
possible leveraging that may arise from flat bottom surface rails,
but such inclination also permits clip 12 to fully engage the
bottom surface of bowed or concave flanges 16.
In the embodiments shown, lower side 32 is configured with six
individual teeth 28 (or three pairs of teeth 28) along with three
elongated teeth 36. These nine teeth spread the lower gripping
forces of clip 12 against bottom surface 15 over a much larger area
than occurs with existing rail clips 12. Hence, the point forces
upon rail 10 are less than before due to these forces being spread
over a larger area. Thus, less disfiguration of rail 10 occurs.
These nine teeth 28/36 along with at least two aligned teeth 26 in
upper side 30 provide an ideal balance of gripping strength,
vibration resistance, low weight, cost reduction and manufacturing
efficiency. The preferred installation manner is to be simply
hammered onto flange 16 without any further drilling, welding,
gluing, etc., thus ease of installation is also achieved via this
new clip design.
During freestanding conditions (i.e. when clip 12 is not
experiencing any vibration due to passing rail cars), the greatest
pressure point occurs between strip heater contact points and
elongated teeth 36 on lower side 32. Thus, during such freestanding
conditions, pointed teeth 26 and 28 will be under little loading.
However, during periods of intense vibration (such as when rail
cars are passing overhead), then clip removal is resisted via
pointed teeth 26 and 28 and not so much as by elongated teeth 36
and strip heater contact points. These pointed teeth 26 and 28 act
as wedges preventing movement with respect to top and bottom
surfaces 15 and 20 of flange 16. Pointed teeth 26 and 28
effectively cancel out the effects of any applied vibration
force.
The first teeth to see any force will be teeth 28 opposite strip
heater 14 when clip 12 is initially hammered or knocked onto flange
16. These and subsequent pointed teeth 28 will subsequently `give`
ever so slightly upon continued installation because of their
reverse angle and small (point) contact area. In equilibrium then,
the greater pressure applied upon rail 10 will be via elongated
teeth 36. At this stage, the contact surfaces of teeth 28 and 36
will be at the same level. However, when reverse forces due to
vibration are applied to clip 12, then it is the pointed contact
surfaces of teeth 28 that offer the greatest resistance (pressure
over area) to withdrawal. Teeth 28 effectively stops or prevents
clip 12 from sliding or vibrating off rail 10 because any such
attempt simply forces pointed teeth 28 further into engagement with
rail surface 15.
The same can be said of upper teeth 26 as well. During equilibrium,
clip 12 is retained in place upon rail 10 via strip heater 14, but
during periods of vibration, the contact points of teeth 26 act as
a wedge to negate any backward sliding of clip 12 from rail 10.
As stated earlier, the forces applied by rail clip 12 can be varied
by changing the thickness of its material. Also, due to clip 12
being located in rather extreme locations under harsh environmental
conditions, it is preferable to provide a protective coating to
such clips so as to prolong their mechanical characteristics and
prevent its deterioration. Such a coating may include a zinc
compound as a sacrificial layer that will help maintain the
integrity of the underlying material.
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show a foot mount rail clip 112 and 212 which is
similar to rail clip 12 of FIGS. 1-3. Foot mount rail clip 112 of
FIGS. 4 and 5 is generally "U-shaped" with ends pinched inwardly
defining flange receiving area 122. Specifically, the flange
receiving area 122 is defined by upper side 130, lower side 132 and
interconnecting side 134 therebetween. Upper side 130 includes
teeth 126 projecting inwardly toward flange receiving area 122. The
teeth 126 project inwardly at an angle B which is between about 8
and 12 degrees from the upper surface 130. Teeth 128 and 136
project from the lower side 132 toward the flange receiving area
122. Teeth 126, 128, 136 are of similar function and configuration
as teeth 26, 28, 36 of FIG. 3, respectively.
FIG. 5 shows angle C, which is defined by the perpendicular plane
of side 134 to the angle of inwardly bend of side 132, is similar
to angle A of FIG. 3. Angle C is between about 4 to about 13
degrees, more preferably between about 10 degrees to about 12
degrees. The angled configuration provides securement of the rail
clip 112 to the rail, as previously discussed with reference to
rail clip 12 of FIG. 3. Similarly, FIG. 5 shows angle D which is
defined as the inward angle of the bend of side 130 from side 134.
Angle D ranges between about 78 degrees to about 85 degrees. FIGS.
4 and 5 further show the strip heater receiving area 124 which is
attached to the upper side 130 and extends therefrom. The heat
receiving area 124 is generally planar with slightly inwardly
angled ends. The heat receiving area 124 is elevated slightly above
the plane of side 130 to provide for a space for the strip heater
to run therethrough.
The heat receiving area 124 of FIG. 5 is located on a different
part of the rail clip 112 then heat receiving area 24 of FIG. 1.
Rail clip 112 of FIG. 5 provides for heat receiving area 124
depending from the upper side 130. The heat receiving area 124
secures a strip heater 14 to the upper surface 20 of the rail
10.
FIG. 6 shows foot mount rail clip 212 which is similar to the foot
mount rail clip 112 of FIGS. 4 and 5. Rail clip 212 includes a
flange receiving area 222 which is defined by lower side 232, upper
side 230 and side 234 therebetween. Upper side 230 and lower side
232 are similarly angled inwardly as discussed in reference to rail
clip 112 of FIG. 5. Rail clip 212 includes teeth 226, 228 and 236
which are similar in geometry and function as teeth 26, 28 and 36
of FIGS. 1-3. Further, rail clip 212 has a strip heat receiving
area 224 similar to the strip heat receiving area 124 of FIG. 5 in
that it depends from the upper side 130. The heat receiving area
224 is elevated slightly above the plane of side 230 to provide for
a space for the strip heater to run therethrough, between the rail
clip 212 and the upper surface 20 of the rail clip 10.
One difference between foot mount rail clip 112 of FIG. 5 and foot
mount rail clip 212 of FIG. 6 is that upper side 230 includes an
angled portion 230A and planar portion 230B. The two-tiered
geometry provides for additional securement and a frictional
surface contact of planar portion 230B to rail 10. Further, foot
mount rail clip 212 has a smaller U-bend. Specifically, the height
of side 234 is shorter then the height of side 134 of FIGS. 4 and 5
to accommodate a smaller rail configuration.
Further embodiments of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 7,
8 and 9. The rail clips 312, 412 and 512 are similar to rail clip
12 of FIGS. 1-3 but they have the heat receiving area 324, 424 and
524 depending from upper side 330, 430 and 530, respectively,
instead of the lower side as in rail clip 12 shown in FIG. 1-3. The
rail clips 312, 412 and 512 include lower sides 332, 432 and 532;
side 334, 434 and 534; and upper side 330, 430 and 530 which define
flange receiving areas 322, 422, 522, respectively. Further, teeth
328, 428, 528 and 336, 436, 536 on lower sides 332, 432 and 532,
respectively, are similar to the teeth above-described in the other
embodiments. The upper side 330, 430 and 530 also includes teeth
326, 426 and 526 which are similar to teeth 26 of FIGS. 1-3. The
geometry of flange receiving area 322, 422 and 522 of FIGS. 7, 8
and 9 differ slightly. For example, rail clip 512 of FIG. 9
includes side 534 which is shorter in height then side 334 and 434
of FIGS. 7 and 8. Additionally, the flange receiving area 522 of
FIG. 9 is smaller then the flange receiving area 322 and 422 of
FIGS. 7 and 8 to accommodate a smaller rail. A further difference
is the geometry of the heat receiving area 324, 424 and 524 which
provide for different sensor attachment thereto. For example, rail
clip 312 of FIG. 7 includes a square cut out 313 to accept an ECS
type of clip for wire suspension and cable management. FIGS. 8 and
9 do not include a square cutout instead they have a circular
opening about 5 mm. to about 7 mm. in diameter and an attachment
mechanism for allowing a cable tie block to be riveted thereto.
FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show, further embodiments of the present
invention, rail clips 612 and 712. Rail clips 612 and 712 are
similar to rail clip 412 of FIG. 8 because the heat receiving areas
are similarly located on the upper side of the clip. However, the
geometry of the heat receiving areas 624 and 724 differ from heat
receiving area 424 of FIG. 8 to accommodate different attachments,
heat sensors or heat strips 14 thereto. The heat receiving area 624
and 724 is defined by an upper jaw and a lower jaw which are
attached at one end to the upper side 630 and 730 and extend
outwardly therefrom. The other unattached end of the upper jaw and
lower jaw are curved towards each other to partially enclose the
heat receiving area 624 and 724. A heat element slidable enters
between the two jaws at the unattached ends into the heat receiving
area 724.
FIGS. 10 and 11 show rail clips 612 and 712 which include lower
sides 632 and 732; side 634 and 734; and upper side 630 and 730
defining flange receiving areas 622 and 722, respectively. Further,
teeth 628 and 728, and 636 and 736 on lower sides 632 and 732 are
similar to teeth 28 and 36 of FIGS. 1-3. The upper side 630 and 730
also includes teeth 626 and 726 which are similar to teeth 26 of
FIGS. 1-3. The geometry of flange receiving area 622 and 722 of
FIGS. 10 and 11 differ slightly. Rail clip 712 of FIG. 11 includes
side 734 which is shorter in height then side 634 of FIG. 10.
Additionally, the upper side 730 in angled inwardly toward the
lower side 732 creating a flange receiving area 722 with smaller
area then flange receiving area 622 of FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 shows rail clip 712 attached to a rail 18. The rail clip
712 is mounted on the rail 18 such that the upper side 730 is
frictionally engaged with surface 20 of the rail 18. Teeth 726 are
shown engaged with surface 20 to secure rail clip 712 thereto.
Further shown is the heat receiving area 724 protruding from the
upper side 730 of the rail clip 712 and the rail 18.
Another embodiment of the present invention is rail clip 812 shown
in FIG. 13. Rail clip 812 is similar the previous described rail
clips. Rail clip 812 includes lower side 832, side 834, and upper
side 830 which defines flange receiving area 822. Further, teeth
828 and 836 on lower side 832 are similar to the teeth
above-described in the other embodiments. The upper side 830 also
includes teeth 826 which are similar to teeth 26 of FIGS. 1-3. The
geometry of flange receiving area 822 is different from the
previous described flange receiving areas of the other embodiments
to accommodate a different variety of attachments or heat strips
14. The flange receiving area 824 includes a planar section mounted
on the upper portion of the upper side 830. The planar portion
includes a centrally located circular hole therethrough. The planar
portion further includes a pair of rear facing loops to accommodate
wires therethough.
While select preferred embodiments of this invention have been
illustrated, many modifications may occur to those skilled in the
art and therefore it is to be understood that these modifications
are incorporated within these embodiments as fully as if they were
fully illustrated and described herein.
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